“Northdale will be Jane’s dowry, though I will add another ten thousand to it. As for our other three daughters, I have set aside fifty thousand pounds for each of them.”
Their talk continued for hours. Mrs. Bennet and Kitty spoke a great deal about different materials and gown styles they wished to try as well as what kind of cloth was best for upholstery and what colors of wallpaper made for the most pleasant rooms. Mary didn’t speak much, but she wasn’t displeased with the pleasant chatter either.
Occasionally, they would ask him a question either about the house at Lockwood or about their budget or allowances. He answered to the best of his ability, and when he could not answer, he reassured them that they would see for themselves soon enough.
Despite everyone’s good mood, Bennet was extremely grateful to arrive at Lockwood late in the afternoon the next day. Finally, he was done with traveling, at least for a few weeks when they would all travel to Manchester.
Chapter 12
September 14, 1812
Elizabeth closed her last trunk with a sigh. “You seem unhappy, Lizzy,” said Jane as she sat on the bed.
“Not unhappy,” replied Elizabeth. “I am only tired. Three months of shopping, learning, and gown fittings sound like fun, but I am ready for something different, something new. Although, I am definitely not ready to spend three days in a carriage.”
“I can sympathize,” said Jane. “Honestly, I wish we were going back to Lockwood, at least for a few weeks, rather than going straight from Manchester to London. It would be nice to just rest.”
Elizabeth eyed her sister carefully. “I believe you would rather not go to London at all,” she said.
Jane grimaced just a tiny bit. It was one example of how Jane had changed in the last few months. Gone was the overly optimistic beauty with far too much patience and forgiveness for her own good. Jane was much more honest with herself and with Elizabeth. She still maintained her placid cheerfulness around everyone else, but she let it drop when the two sisters were alone.
“I admit, I am not looking forward to London,” said Jane quietly. She sighed. “I was always frustrated at how muchpressure Mama put on me to attract a wealthy husband, but that pressure was nothing compared to what I feel now. It is no longer an option. Imustmarry, and it must be done soon, preferably within a year.”
“It shouldn’t be difficult,” said Elizabeth. “With your dowry being an estate that brings in over four thousand a year, the gentlemen of London will flock to you.”
“If they do, it will be for all the wrong reasons,” she said. “Northdale is attached to my title, not to me, personally, so my husband will not own it. What man in all of England will marry a woman who is destined to have all the power in the marriage?” Elizabeth was surprised to see Jane clench her fists in frustration. “It is an impossible situation.”
Elizabeth hugged her sister. “Try not to think about it too much,” she said. “Just focus on finding a man you like and who is honorable. If I remember correctly, Mrs. Rigby suggested looking at younger sons rather than heirs. Perhaps you could start there.”
“Perhaps,” said Jane, though she did not look confident in the least.
“No matter what happens, I will be right there next to you,” said Elizabeth, “and Papa will exercise all his new power to ensure that whatever man you take an interest in is a good man.”
Though Elizabeth never would have believed it four months ago, her father had learned how to wield his new power relatively quickly. The entire time they had been in Manchester, the family went by the name of Bennet, and no one knew who they really were. Behind the scenes, however, Papa had hired several different kinds of men for their protection.
There were the obvious footmen who accompanied any family member wherever they went, but there were also severalprivate messengers as well as a couple of private investigators. Elizabeth didn’t know much about them, but she had heard her father mention them a few times.
It was all very new, but Elizabeth felt safer knowing how much her father was willing to do to ensure the safety and happiness of each of his ladies.
“At least we have had some practice here in Manchester,” said Elizabeth. “The assemblies here were far more entertaining than I would have supposed, and most of the gentlemen we met were quite pleasant. Mama and Kitty even made some new friends.”
“We have had practice mingling with strangers and making friends,” said Jane, “but very few of them were of the caliber that we will encounter on a daily basis in London. Besides, none of them knew who we are, only that we are very wealthy.”
Elizabeth sat on the bed facing her sister as she took both of Jane’s hands in her own. “Jane, whatever pressure others try to place on you, in the end it is up to you to find your own happiness. I have no doubt whatsoever that somewhere in London is a man you can respect and who will make a good husband for you, and I am certain you will find him.”
Jane squeezed Elizabeth’s hands and tried to smile. “Thank you, Lizzy. You are my rock. I don’t think I could face this without you.”
The two sisters hugged again. Then, Jane left to go to her own room.
~~~~~
The journey to London was not as bad as Elizabeth feared, but it was certainly not enjoyable either. The family traveled intwo separate carriages, so that each person had a comfortable amount of space. There was an additional carriage which carried five ladies’ maids and a valet. Then there was a fourth carriage which carried all the luggage that did not fit on the other three.
The ladies had acquired so many new clothes and accessories that they each had two large trunks plus various bags and boxes full of their new belongings. Elizabeth had honestly lost track of how many hundreds, or more likely thousands, of pounds Papa had spent on them, but no matter what they asked for, he had not denied their request a single time.
Their convoy was surrounded by a group of four outriders, and there was an additional footman sitting with the driver on two of the carriages. Once they were out of Manchester, Papa allowed his coat of arms to be displayed on the lead carriage.
Elizabeth wondered whether such ostentation was more dangerous, since it tended to attract attention, but in the end she decided it was worth it. With a duke’s coat of arms and a small army of servants, they received the best service at every inn where they stopped, whether it was overnight or simply to change horses.
